In Lagos, Nigeria, the emotional toll of financial instability is taking a devastating turn as a growing number of pet owners are forced to abandon their beloved animals at local shelters. Preye Maxwell, a laid-off media specialist, is just one of many who have had to make the agonizing decision to relinquish their pets due to skyrocketing costs. “I can't afford to take care of him. I can't afford to feed him the way he should be fed,” Maxwell expressed as he left his two-year-old dog, Hanks, at the St Mark's Animal Rescue Foundation. This heartbreaking scene reflects a broader trend as Nigeria experiences soaring inflation and economic hardship.
The pressures facing Nigerians have intensified since President Bola Tinubu's administration removed a long-standing fuel subsidy, triggering inflation to skyrocket from 22% in May 2023 to a staggering 35% by late December. Although inflation has since ebbed to around 24%, the overall economic climate remains challenging, with many struggling to make ends meet. Consequently, a sharp increase in the cost of pet care—evidenced by a staggering rise in pet food and veterinary costs—has left pet owners like Maxwell feeling overwhelmed. Dr. Mark Afua, a veterinarian and chairman of St Mark's Animal Rescue, noted the distressing uptick: “About 10 years ago... people were not giving up their dogs because they were unable to feed them. Now, we’ve seen 10 to 12 animals being dropped off each month.”
This unfortunate predicament has led some pet owners to abandon their animals outright rather than surrender them responsibly. Jackie Idimogu, president of a local dog-loving community, lamented, “Now they don't even have that patience [to find new owners]. They just tie the dog out to a post on the road or unleash it on the road.” The stark reality is that people like Idimogu, who are passionate about animal welfare, are faced with difficult choices. Despite spending a significant portion of her income on her pets, she refuses to part with them, opting instead to scale back her personal luxuries. "I used to be flashy, but now I had to tone down because of my dogs."
Others, like Lagos sales executive Iyke Elueze, are also struggling to provide for their animals amid soaring expenses. Prices for pet supplies have increased dramatically—one brand of dog food he previously bought for 30,000 naira is now priced at 165,000 naira. Elueze, who credits his dog with supporting him through depression, is torn between the need to care for his family and his desire to keep his pets safe. Worries of abandoning them in a market that considers dog meat a delicacy loom large.
Meanwhile, new animal rescues are sparked by despair, as individuals like tattoo artist Mistura Ibrahim step in to save cats from harm, motivated by their love for the animals. However, as the crisis deepens, finding new homes for these rescued animals becomes increasingly difficult. “If you can't afford to have a child, then don't bring a child into the world,” she advised, drawing parallels between responsible pet ownership and parenting.
Dr. Afua, struggling to accommodate the growing number of unwanted animals at his shelter—currently housing nearly double its intended capacity—stated, “I don’t have the heart to turn any animal away.” The complexities of Nigeria's economic strife intersect painfully with veterinary care and animal welfare, as these heartfelt stories reveal the profound impact of rising costs on both humans and the animals they cherish.
